Javy Lopez-"I cannot be happy here."

Well while some players like Miguel Tejada and Alfonso Soriano expressed happiness about not being traded on Tuesday, at least one player wasn't.

Baltimore Orioles backup catcher Javy Lopez is not happy to still be in Baltimore.

"I've got no position on this team. I don't see why they really need me. I'm not meant to play once a week. ... I cannot be happy in this situation. They probably have their plan, and I don't think they're going to keep me like this until the end of the season. They're probably going to do something sooner or later."

Would that something be a release?

"That would be a better option for me, since I didn't get traded. I don't want to get released -- I'm just saying it would make more sense. The last thing I want to do here is not even play."

I can't blame Lopez. He has been replaced behind the plate by Ramon Hernandez, and his spot at DH been taken by Jay Gibbons, returning from off the disabled list. That means at bats will be few and far between for the 35-year-old catcher.

There haven't been many smiles for Javy Lopez this season

Also contributing to Lopez's dejected state: he's a free agent at season's end. It's hard to earn money when sitting on the bench not playing. More than likely, his next contract will be his last as a Major Leaguer. Remember in Lopez's last contract season in 2003 with Atlanta he hit .328 with 43 HR and 109 RBI.

It resulted in the 3-year $22.5 million deal he signed with Baltimore that offseason. Thisyear he's being paid $9 million, batting .269 with 8HR and 31 RBI. That's a lot of money for a guy who you're not even playing, and it's a lot more to pay a guy you release.

I don't think Baltimore will release Lopez, but he could possibly get through waivers if the O's can work out a deal with somebody. It's highly doubtful anybody is going to claim a 35 year old catcher who's still owed $3.3 million this season, so he should get through.

The real question is, does anybody want him?

You'd think that if a team did they could have easily gotten him in a trade for some prospects. Then again, maybe teams did try and the Orioles didn't think the deal was good enough. I mean the Orioles didn't think Roy Oswalt, Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett and a couple minor leaguers were good enough for Miguel Tejada, so it wouldn't be the first time they overvalued one of their players.

Source

• O's lack of moves leaves Tejada happy, Lopez upset (ESPN)